I have to get new health insurance two months after VSG

[gloomingloo 5]

I'm moving to another state, so I'll have to get new health insurance. The problem? I'm moving in March and had my VSG in January. No problems so far and otherwise, I'm healthy.

How screwed am I?

[flmama 105]

Why is this a problem? You have health insurance now, right? Are you moving from one group policy to another? Or individual policies?

If you're moving from one group policy to another, HIPAA/portability laws say that no pre-x exists as far as the new company is concerned. Make sure you get your Certificate of Health Coverage from your current carrier that shows dates you were enrolled. Your new carrier will want it if not at enrollment, the first time you submit a claim and they ask if it's a pre-x condition.

We just got new coverage 1/1. New carrier tried to deny anything for my sleeve as pre-x, but I showed them our previous Certificate of Health Coverage from prior carrier and that I had more than 18 months of "creditable coverage" with them, and they moved forward. If you have a waiting period for a new job where you can't get insurance, that doesn't count as a gap per the portability laws either. You may pay more $$ for the coverage because of the sleeve if it's an individual policy though.

[prnces228 18]

I had surgery on July 23 and moved out of state Sep 6 - didn't have a job and I was fine! No problems pre-during-post surgery so I took the chance but I was ok. I wouldn't worry TOO much if you have been pretty good during the process so far. Good luck!